VOLLEYBALL: The Woodlands takes third at John Turner Classic

By Demetrio Teniente, dteniente@hcnonline.com

Updated 6:34 pm, Saturday, August 12, 2017

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands right side hitter Alex Tyler (15) celebrates after a kill shot by middle blocker AJ Koele (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands right side hitter Alex Tyler (15) celebrates after a kill shot by middle blocker AJ Koele (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1.

in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1.

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands head coach Terri Wade yells after a block in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands head coach Terri Wade yells after a block in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) yells as she runs to the sideline with outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) and libero Georgia Murphy (5) following a timeout in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) yells as she runs to the sideline with outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) and libero Georgia Murphy (5) following a timeout in the third set of a match during the ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands middle blocker AJ Koele (16) runs toward setter Sophie Walls (8) after Walls assisted on Koele's kill shot in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands middle blocker AJ Koele (16) runs toward setter Sophie Walls (8) after Walls assisted on Koele's kill shot in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1.

in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1.

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) celebrates a point in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) celebrates a point in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) signals the defense before a serve in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) signals the defense before a serve in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) serves the ball in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) serves the ball in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands middle blocker AJ Koele (16) blocks a shot by Prosper outside hitter Samantha Jacobs (4) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands middle blocker AJ Koele (16) blocks a shot by Prosper outside hitter Samantha Jacobs (4) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) look to the sideline for an out of bounds call in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) look to the sideline for an out of bounds call in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) waits for a serve along with outside hitters Amanda Ifeany (10) and Courtney Heiser (6) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) waits for a serve along with outside hitters Amanda Ifeany (10) and Courtney Heiser (6) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands middle blocker Alex Tyler (15) and outside hitter Amanda Ifeany (10) pressure Prosper outside hitter Haley Killinger (12) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands middle blocker Alex Tyler (15) and outside hitter Amanda Ifeany (10) pressure Prosper outside hitter Haley Killinger (12) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) makes a pass in front of middle blocker AJ Koele (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) makes a pass in front of middle blocker AJ Koele (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Amanda Ifeany (10) gets a shot past Prosper outside hitter Haley Killinger (12) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Amanda Ifeany (10) gets a shot past Prosper outside hitter Haley Killinger (12) in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) sets the ball in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) sets the ball in the second set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) sets the ball in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) sets the ball in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands defensive specialist Skylar Scott (1) celebrates a point in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands defensive specialist Skylar Scott (1) celebrates a point in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) sets up the offense in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) sets up the offense in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands middle blocker AJ Koele (16) and right side hitter Alex Tyler (15) wins a challenge at the net by Prosper setter Madi Whitmire (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands middle blocker AJ Koele (16) and right side hitter Alex Tyler (15) wins a challenge at the net by Prosper setter Madi Whitmire (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) look to the sideline for the defensive call in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands setter Sophie Walls (8) look to the sideline for the defensive call in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) blocks a shot by Prosper outside hitter Samantha Jacobs (4) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) blocks a shot by Prosper outside hitter Samantha Jacobs (4) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1.

in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1.

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) misses a dig in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) misses a dig in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands libero Georgia Murphy (5) celebrates a block by middle blocker AJ Koele (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands libero Georgia Murphy (5) celebrates a block by middle blocker AJ Koele (16) in the first set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands middle blocker Amanda Ifeany (10) tries to recover from a block beside outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands middle blocker Amanda Ifeany (10) tries to recover from a block beside outside hitter Dylan Maberry (9) in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) celebrates a point in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) celebrates a point in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands head coach Terri Wade yells after a block in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands head coach Terri Wade yells after a block in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) reacts after a missed shot goes in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. The Woodlands defeated Prosper 2-1. less

The Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Heiser (6) reacts after a missed shot goes in the third set of a match during the Adidas John Turner Classic at Pearland High School, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Pearland. ... more

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

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VOLLEYBALL: The Woodlands takes third at John Turner Classic

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PEARLAND - The Woodlands had a unique opportunity to face off with one of the top teams in the state in just its ninth match of the season on Saturday at the Adidas John Turner Classic.

In the semifinal match of the Gold Bracket, the Lady Highlanders went toe to toe with defending state champion Hebron for three sets.

And though the Hawks finished on top, winning 25-22, 18-25, 28-26, the Lady Highlanders saw a glimpse of what their team is capable of.

"It is a good start, and you hope we can keep growing from here," The Woodlands coach Terri Wade said. "I hope this isn't the limit of our potential, and I don't think that it is. I can see where we've made changes - we just need to become more consistent with them. I expect a lot - starting from here, but being able to grow from here, too."

"They are the leaders of the team in their respective positions," Wade said. "[This weekend] just shows that they are going to take control of the team."

Hebron was ranked No. 1 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association preseason rankings, while The Woodlands was tabbed as the No. 8 team in Class 6A.

In the third set of the semifinal match, The Woodlands trailed Hebron 18-10 before going on a 14-4 run. But with defeat only one point away, Hebron dug in its heels and eventually took the set, 28-26.

Courtney Heiser and Koele each tallied 13 kills in the loss. Heiser also added 16 digs for a double-double. Murphy had a team-high 23 digs, while Skylar Scott had 19. Sophie Walls had a team-high 29 assists to go with two blocks.

After losing to Hebron, The Woodlands swept Plano East (25-18, 25-20) in the third-place match. Earlier in the day, The Woodlands defeated Prosper (19-25, 25-19, 25-20) to earn the matchup with Hebron.

In the win over Prosper, Murphy had a team-high 21 digs, while Walls had 29 assists, six digs, three blocks and four aces. Heiser led the team with 11 kills and eight digs, while Koele also had 11 kills to go with five blocks and six digs.

In The Woodlands' sweep over Plano East, Heiser led the way with eight kills and eight digs. Walls tallied 18 assists, five digs and three aces. Koele had six kills and a block, and Alex Tyler and Amanda Oppenheimer each registered three blocks.

Wade was pleased with how her team performed offensively over the weekend, but she hopes they can improve on the defensive end moving forward.

"I think mostly we have a great offense - and defense has been good, too," Wade said. "But defensively we have to work on the front row on being consistent blockers."

The Woodlands will return to the court Tuesday when it travels to Katy Seven Lakes. The Lady Highlanders will then host Willis next Friday.